The Farmers’ Union of Wales has met with key figures in the European Commission and Parliament to discuss Brexit and its implications, with just 30 days to go before the UK is due to leave the EU. As well as meeting Welsh MEP Derek Vaughan and others, FUW President Glyn Roberts met with European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinnes, Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Paolo de Castro, and Commission cabinet member Tom Tynan.

Speaking after the round of meetings on Tuesday (February 26), Mr Roberts said: “With just thirty days to go before we are due to leave, the uncertainty and disorder around Brexit is having adverse impacts on businesses both in the UK and across the rest of the EU.

“The fact that it is costing hundreds of millions to businesses and governments in many countries is a grave concern.”

Mr Roberts said this was one of the reasons the FUW maintained its belief that the only way to restore order was to revoke Article 50 then move to secure an agreement that has widespread support in Parliament, before re-submitting an Article 50 letter and withdrawing from the EU in an orderly manner.

“Contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit and the implications for UK-EU trade were also at the top of the agenda, as well as changes aimed at stamping out unfair trading practices in the supply chain,” said Mr Roberts.

Agreement on the EU Directive on Unfair Trading Practice was reached in December 2018, and is aimed at stamping out unfair practices affecting farmers and small and medium sized businesses position in the food supply chain.

The FUW’s Livestock and Hill farming committees have described Welsh Government plans to introduce a pan-Wales ‘NVZ’ type regulations as disastrous for the livestock industry.

Speaking after a joint meeting of the two committees on Wednesday (February 22), FUW hill farming and marginal land committee chairman Rheinallt Hughes said: “This was the first opportunity committee members had to consider the plans in detail, and there was a general air of disbelief that the Welsh Government want to introduce reems of restrictions, rules and paperwork for even our most remote and extensively farmed areas.”

Mr Hughes said that farmers were only slowly becoming aware of the plans, and that anger was rising within the industry that such a draconian approach was being brought forward at a time when all the figures suggest Wales’ agriculture industry could be the worst affected by Brexit.

“The fact that such a draconian blanket approach is being planned goes against the Welsh Government's commitment in December 2017 to strike ‘the right balance of comprehensive regulatory measures, voluntary measures and investment’ and ‘...explore further options to provide land managers with flexibility, where these would achieve the same or better outcomes than a regulatory approach,’” added Mr Hughes.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced the plans in a written statement in November last year, after which it became apparent that the majority of the plans had simply ‘been cut-and-pasted’ from the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) rules currently affecting just 2.3% of Wales.

A successful information evening to discuss bovine TB within the Denbigh and Flintshire counties, arranged by the local Farmers’ Union of Wales branch, has resulted in the formation of a new discussion group.

The event, which was held at the Hanmer Arms, near Whitchurch, heard from APHA representatives and the North Wales TB Eradication Board, with FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright also answering questions.  

FUW Denbigh and Flint CEO Mari Dafydd Jones said: “We held this meeting as we have many members that are being affected by TB within this area.  

“The level of TB in cattle has not shown any significant decline and new TB spikes have developed in the Intermediate TB Area.

“Alongside frustration at the lack of progress in the High TB Area, there is growing concern amongst members that previously clean areas are now at risk of a TB incursion.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed a call by North Wales police earlier this month to review legislation pertaining to the 1953 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act in a bid to reduce the number of dog attacks on livestock in Wales.

Current interpretation of the 1953 Act means that Police cannot seize a dog and keep it if the owner is known; even if the same dog is responsible for multiple attacks. A court has no power to ban an offender from getting another dog following a conviction.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer said: “Livestock worrying continues to be an important issue for FUW members and the Union has repeatedly documented the wide-reaching emotional and financial damage that dog attacks can cause.

“Livestock worrying is complex and we continue to be frustrated that livestock attacks by dogs show no sign of abating.  Despite significant industry investment, many members of the public remain unaware that their family pet can attack, injure or kill livestock.”

Many dog attacks happen by unaccompanied dogs that have strayed from the home environment and messages about keeping dogs on a lead near livestock can therefore only form part of the solution.  The FUW therefore welcomes the call by North Wales police to further scrutinise existing legislation in order to make it fit for purpose and to proactively prevent dog attacks.